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Nine Ways to Make Sure Your Car is Prepared for a Long Journey

Taking a road trip can be a really exciting
experience but if your car isn’t fully prepared, then you could find yourself
on the side of the road waiting for the breakdown service to arrive, rather
than being headed to your destination. Just like you make sure that you’ve got
everything that you need ready to take along for the trip, it’s a wise idea to
give your car the once-over and make sure that everything’s ready to ensure it
can handle a long journey. Certain issues may not be apparent on short drives
but quickly show up if you’re on the road for a few hours. So, we’ve put
together a checklist of things to check and fix before you set off.

#1. Your Breakdown Cover:

Your car could break down any time, but the
likelihood is higher when you’re driving a long-distance trip. So, before
setting off, you should double check your breakdown cover and make sure that
somebody will be able to come out and rescue you should the worst happen. The
last thing that you want is to be stranded on the side of the road, only to
discover that your breakdown has expired or the level of cover you’ve chosen
doesn’t apply after a certain distance from home. If you have to, it’s always
worth paying more to upgrade your cover for the peace of mind you’ll need when
driving long distance.

#2. Oil:

Setting off on a long journey without
enough oil in your tank is a sure way to find yourself dealing with a car
problem. Driving on a small amount of oil might be OK if you’re only traveling
a short distance, but it’ll definitely need more to get it through a long ride.
You can easily check
your oil level by pulling the dipstick out of the oil tank and checking
where the oil level comes up to. Your dipstick should have markers that will
let you know whether or not the amount of oil left in the tank needs to be
topped up. If your engine needs more oil, make sure that you choose the right
type for your car – you’ll find more information on this in your manufacturer’s
handbook.

#3. Tires:

Another main factor to consider when
setting off on a long journey is your tire pressure and tread depth. Ideally,
your tread depth should be at around 1.3mm; any less and your tires could be
dangerous, particularly if you are driving at high speeds on the highway for a
prolonged period of time. So, it could be worth investing in new tires for your
car before setting off if the tread depth isn’t up to scratch; this will not
only help you avoid problems during the road trip but will also be much better
for your car in the future. Don’t forget to check the tire
pressure, too – check your manufacturer’s handbook for instructions and
fill them with air at a gas station; this will help your car run smoother and
improve fuel economy.

#4. Coolant:

Experts recommend flushing the coolant in
your car and replacing it every three years or thirty thousand miles, depending
on which comes sooner. If you haven’t flushed the coolant from your car or
don’t remember ever having this done, then there’s no better time to do it than
just before a long road trip. Not flushing the coolant out when recommended can
lead to your engine overheating, which could lead to a breakdown and very
expensive car repairs. The good news is that an engine coolant flush is easy
enough to do on your own – check out this handy guide that walks you through the steps to take.

#5. Temperature Control:

When you’re taking a long road trip, you’ll
want to be able to easily control the temperature in your car, switching from
cool to warm depending on the weather and the time of day. It’s a good idea to
quickly test your car’s temperature control system to make sure that everything
is working correctly. If your car has air conditioning, listen out for any
whirring sounds, as this could be a sign that a re-gas is needed.

#7. Windscreen Wipers:

Before you set off, test your windscreen
wipers – if they are scraping the glass or struggling to wipe water from the
windscreen, this is a sure sign that you are going to need new wiper blades.
Don’t set off on a long road trip with wiper blades that need replacing; if you
get caught in a downpour, damaged or worn wiper blades will struggle to keep up
with wiping the rain from your windscreen and could cause restrictions to your
view, making it dangerous for you to drive.

#8. Lights:

Do a quick check of all the lights on your
car before you set off, to make sure that everything is in working order.
Particularly check the tail lights; a tail light or brake light that is out
could go unnoticed for some time. The easiest way to check your lights is with
a friend – sit in the driver’s seat and switch on the head and tail lights and
indicators, then press the brakes and put your car into reverse gear to ensure
that these lights are all working correctly too. If you have a registration
plate light or daytime running lights, don’t forget to check these as well.

#9. See a Professional:

Last but not least, if your car is due a
service, don’t leave it until after your road trip. The best option is to have
your car serviced before you go; the mechanic will be able to check it over at
the same time and point out any issues that your untrained eye may have missed.
And, they’ll make sure that essential fluids such as oil, coolant, and
screenwash are fully topped up before you go.

Taking a long road trip can be very taxing
for your car, so make sure that you’re fully prepared before you set off!